Fixing device including separator with contact portion and image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• an image bearer configured to bear an image;
• and
• a fixing device configured to fix the image on a recording medium,
• the fixing device including:
• a fixing belt that is endless, the fixing belt configured to rotate;
• a heater configured to heat the fixing belt;
• a pressure roller configured to press against the fixing belt to form a nip between the fixing belt and the pressure roller, the nip through which the recording medium is conveyed, the pressure roller configured to rotate;
• a holding portion opposite an inner circumferential face of the fixing belt at each lateral end of the fixing belt in a longitudinal direction of the fixing belt, the holding portion configured to rotatably hold the fixing belt and the holding portion not extending an entire length, in the longitudinal direction, of the fixing belt;
• and
• a separator configured to separate the recording medium from the fixing belt,
• the separator including:
• a body;
• and
• a contact portion protruding from the body towards the fixing belt between the body and the fixing belt, the contact portion configured to contact the fixing belt at a conte on, the contact portion being outboard from a recording medium conveyance region in the longitudinal direction of the fixing belt, the recording medium conveyance region being where the recording medium is conveyed over the fixing belt, the contact portion being opposite the holding portion via the fixing belt, ax an inner circumferential fac e of the fixing belt does n portion at the contact position;
• and
• a biasing member configured to press the contact portion toward the fixing belt.